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Soldier saluted for speaking up

Kudos to Corporal Paul Demetrick for having the courage to speak out and shine the light of truth on the involvement of Canadian troops in the war in Afghanistan. We need more soldiers, and more citizens, to demand an end to this insanity and insist our troops be brought home.

Both my nephew and my niece's boyfriend were deployed in Afghanistan, and I witnessed the incredible anguish their families experienced while they were there. I also learned about some of the atrocities the soldiers reported when they returned, and they are not even permitted to tell the whole story. It is definitely time to pull back and reconsider.

Simone Gabbay, Toronto

There is no such thing as a war between good and evil; it's all evil. Good is when evil rests. The Rideau Institute reports that Canada's spending on peacekeeping is now 17 per cent of what it was the year prior to the Afghan war. What the hell are we thinking? Paul Demetrick deserves a medal for bravery – and most certainly for honesty.

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Jim Renahan, Toronto

I want to thank Corporal Paul Demetrick for having the courage to speak out publicly about the Afghanistan mission. I am the mother of a soldier who returned from Afghanistan in Febuary of 2008.

I wrote to all three political parties in March to say I was horrified they had agreed to extend our involvement to 2011. I am not sure anyone is listening, but surely when Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the top commander of the British troops in Afghanistan, speaks out and says that NATO can't win the war in Afghanistan by just adding more troops on the ground, Canadian politicians will hear him.

I am a retired psychiatric social worker who travelled to the U.S. this summer for a conference on combat stress. The Canadian military, government and public had no idea of the impact this war would have on the minds of the soldiers returning, nor the cost to lives, careers, families and taxpayers to mend the damage to those who survive and return home. Ongoing deployments increase the risk and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder. The cost so far has been 97 soldiers' deaths, numerous others wounded physically and emotionally, and numerous suicides.

I am not saying we should not help the Afghans, but we need to do it in another way. Our politicians need to find the same courage they ask of our soldiers and admit their mistake in extending the mission. Not one of the major parties has earned the confidence for a majority government to date.

Linda Simmonds, Orangeville

It is time for the Star to publish a prominent article that looks back to the start of the "War on Terror," to recall the various officially stated and unstated rationales for Canada's "mission" in Afghanistan. Focus on the role of oil and the pipeline being built in the country. And reflect on psychological aspects, such as the role of powerful sentimental forces of machismo (post-feminist backlash?) and nostalgia.

Douglas Moore, Toronto

Finally a soldier speaks out about Canada's shameful war. Finally someone accepts responsibility for killing so many innocent people. Our name has become a disgrace, thanks to our highly educated elite.

A.H. Karolia, Toronto

Finally, a letter straight from the horse's mouth. Corporal Paul Demetrick states that we are sending Canadian men, real men, to Afghanistan to brutally kill men, women and children. That is the truth, and he said it best.

Pamela Bolton, Toronto

Has Paul Demetrick been to Afghanistan, or is he basing his statements on rumours and innuendo from conspiracy circles? Why would he join the military if he has such an aversion to all things military? It's like joining the boy scouts and becoming upset when you have to sell apples and do good deeds.

John Addison, Dundas

I salute the soldier who said it's time to end the Afghanistan war. We have no business being there and fighting George Bush's war. Combat situations are not what we are about as Canadians. We are peacemakers and peacekeepers and we should stay that way. The people in countries like Afghanistan have been fighting each other for centuries. We are only making the situation worse. I felt much freer, and our country was much safer, before we got sucked into this mess. Bring our troops home now.

Bernie Merrett, Toronto

A soldier is not a policeman anymore than a dog is a cat. The role of a front-line soldier is to kill the forces of the enemy – whatever that enemy may be. All Canadian military personel are volunteers. If Corporal Demetrick did not want to participate in combat, he should have chosen a different career. True, war is one of the darkest, most horrible things man has ever participated in. But justice and freedom come at a cost, and we cannot forget this.

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